Challenges for evidence-based environmental management: what is acceptable and sufficient evidence of causation?

Abstract

Investigators attempting to demonstrate causal relationships in environmental systems face challenges associated with natural variability, multiple stressors, the difficulty of performing rigorous experiments, and the time and money required to undertake such studies. Rapid, transparent, and logical methods are needed to synthesize and evaluate evidence from multiple existing scientific research studies. Eco Evidence was developed for this purpose. It provides a synthesis method, online database, and analysis software for use in environmental causal assessments. Eco Evidence provides a definition of 'acceptable' and 'sufficient evidence' to establish causation. To illustrate its capabilities..